We are excited to invite you to join us for the inaugural Rising Rust Belt: A Regional Revitalization Economic Summit 8 - 4 PM Monday, Oct. 7 at the Park Inn by Radisson, West Middlesex - with additional activities Sunday, Oct. 6 - presented in partnership with Platinum Sponsor FirstEnergy!

Sunday, Oct. 6:

A tour of local sites for development in the Shenango Valley followed by a Social Mixer for Invited Guests & Elected Officials; Sponsors and Vendors at the Park Inn by Radisson lounge. Mixer includes light refreshments, musical entertainment and cash bar.

Monday, Oct. 7.

The event will start with Keynote PA Lt. Governor John Fetterman (Confirmed) speaking at the breakfast session; and Keynote Lydia Mihalik, who was appointed by Ohio Governor DeWine asDirector of the Ohio Development Services Agency for the lunch session; and throughout the day include breakout sessions; vendor areas and will close with an entrepreneurial ‘shark-tank’ pitch session w/ cash prizes.

Ticket to the event includes: Both keynote sessions with Lt. Governors; up to four revitalization workshops; pitch competition event; vendor area; swag bags; continental breakfast and buffet lunch w/dessert included in the ticket price.

Four Concurrent SessionTracks will cover:

1. Economic Development & Entrepreneurship
2. Community Development & Innovation
3. Government Affairs & Education
4. Workforce Development & Retention

Schedule Sunday Oct. 6

• Vendor Set-up: 3-4:30 PM (Will also have the chance to set up early morning Sunday Oct. 7)
• Tour: Shenango Valley Site Visit: 2:30 - 4:30 PM (shuttle included)
• Revitalization Mixer: 4:30-6:30 PM at Park Inn (for special guests & elected officials; media; sponsors and vendors)

Schedule Agenda for Rising Rust Belt Summit Monday, Oct. 7, 2019 at the Park Inn by Radisson

7:30 AM Registration Opens
7 AM – 8 AM: Vendor Set up
8 AM – 4 PM Vendor Area Open
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM Breakfast Keynote: PA Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman (Continental Breakfast; Except for Reserve signs, open seating in Grand Ball Room)

“E”: Economic Development & Entrepreneurship; “C”: Community Development & Innovation

“G”: Government Affairs & Education; “W”: Workforce Development & Retention

10 – 10:45 AM (1st Session)
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland: Report for the Region (G) Devonshire Economics of Health Care in the Rust Belt (E) Crystal Room Best Practices for Downtown Revitalization (C) JW’s Other Club Workforce Development in the Rust Belt (W) Sheffield

11- 11: 45 AM (2nd Session)
Getting Site Selector Ready (E) Grand Ballroom The Role of Higher Education in Community Development (C) Crystal Room Making the Most of Your Riverfront (G) Devonshire Attracting & Retaining the Next Generation (W) JW’s Other Club

Noon – 1:15 PM Lunch Keynote: Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Development Services Agency (Lunch buffet opens at 11:45 AM; Except for Reserve Signs, Open Seating in Grand Ball Room)

1:25 PM – 2:10 PM (3rd Session)Business Succession Planning in the Rust Belt (E) Devonshire Economic Development Legislation to Watch (G) Sheffield The Food & Beverage Economy (Summary Quality of Life) (C) JW’s Other Club Filling the Skilled Trades (W) Crystal

2:20 PM – 3:05 PM (4th Session)
Plastic & PetroChemicals Supply Chain Opportunities (E) Grand Ballroom The Potential of Federal Opportunity Zones (G) Devonshire Neighborhood Revitalization Best Practices (C) JW’s Other Club Creating an Entrepreneur-Friendly Community (W) Crystal Room

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM (Located off-site; Trolley available) Rising Rust Belt Pitch Competition with Entrepreneurs and Judges from all three regions at the CHIP Spec Building in Lindenpointe Business Park, Hermitage

The Rust Belt Revitalization Economic Summit is an opportunity to collaboratively develop and activate a wide array of strategically innovative economic growth concepts for the eastern Ohio & western PA region – midway between Pittsburgh and Cleveland in the heart of the rust belt. This summit will also help empower our area (which encompasses the Youngstown-Warren, Ohio area and Lawrence and Mercer counties in Pa) to envision itself more cohesively, collaboratively and dynamically as we move forward together - working to develop and create our own definition of a successful future for our region.

email info@svchamber for additional info

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